Strength

Father, coaches shaped me: Finding the right role models

Hey, Jamie, I'm going to put a little spin on this one because I think when we were younger, we want and need Role Models. So there is probably for me no better role model than my father who taught me that hard work. Really does pay off. But then as I got older, the coaches that came through my life, taught me, some really really good qualities of hard work tenacity and just being disciplined. Also had some coaches that actually Give me some things that I never wanted to be and that they were actually bad role models and things about fairness and fair to the athletes that I work with and commitment to the athletes that I work with. So now that I'm a little bit older and I'm a coach myself. I want to be a good role model. And so to me that means the highest level of Integrity trying to be the best Communicator that I can. And then just constantly being a lifelong student to learn and constantly be on the top of my game so that As I truly am considered one of the best in the world, but to be curious and just ask a lot of questions. So, that's the whole thing about role models with me, but I took a couple days because I really wanted to think about it. Hope that's a good answer for you. Talk soon, B.

As I've gotten older, I've looked for role models in my life that taught me the value of hard work, tenacity, and discipline. As a coach myself now, I want to be a good role model by demonstrating integrity, being a good communicator, and constantly striving to learn and stay on top of my game.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/pdptkv6or5ljcc0kqueu.vtt

My role model has evolved over time. When I was younger, my father was my ultimate role model. He taught me the value of hard work and showed me that it truly pays off. As I grew older, various coaches came into my life and taught me important qualities like tenacity, discipline, and the importance of commitment. However, I also had some coaches who served as negative role models, showing me what I didn't want to become.

Now that I am a coach myself, I strive to be a positive role model for others. This means embodying the highest level of integrity, being a strong communicator, and continuously learning and improving. I aim to be considered one of the best in the world in my field, but also to maintain curiosity and always ask questions.

So, my role model journey has led me to focus on being a good role model myself, drawing inspiration from the lessons I've learned from my father and the coaches I've encountered along the way.

How do you balance feeling content if you're always striving to be better? 

Finding contentment while striving for improvement: the key is recognizing the importance of rest and self-care.

Hey Suzanne, my recommendation around feeling content and also continuing to be striving to be better is to recognize that rest and your ability to come down. From that hard work is part of the process of getting better. So if you actually include it in the journey, feeling content, breathing, meditating, walking, slowly, being in nature. Those are key key. Actives to moving forward at Highland with high-level performance. You got included as part of the process.

To feel content and continue striving to be better, recognize that rest is part of the process. Incorporate activities such as breathing, meditating, walking, and being in nature into your journey to help you move forward with high-level performance.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/bqzjlb1uismvdzhpb7ro.vtt

To balance feeling content while continuously striving to improve, it's important to recognize that rest and relaxation are integral parts of the journey towards growth. By incorporating moments of contentment, such as taking breaks, practicing mindfulness through meditation, enjoying leisurely walks, or immersing oneself in nature, you can enhance your overall performance and progress. Remember to include these activities as essential components of the process of self-improvement.

What are your fears and how do you handle them?

Conquering Fears: The Power of Preparation and Seeking Knowledge

Hi Suzanne, great question. Handling my fears about the future or performance, or being successful has always been kind of something that I've paid really close attention to. I handle my fear by being Uber prepared. I want to seek out the smartest people. I can be around the most knowledgeable intelligent generous humble people that I can be around so that they're willing to share their ideas with me. That I can bring these ideas and this knowledge to my community, to my athletes, to my other coaches to anybody. I'm mentoring at the time but fear is is in a rational thing. It's something that's going to happen that we're not sure may or may not happen. So for me being super prepared is how I handle those.

I handle my fears about the future or performance by being uber prepared. I seek out the smartest and most knowledgeable people so that I can bring their ideas and knowledge to my community, athletes, coaches and anyone else I'm mentoring.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/iiarvkuu8rktzererkwh.vtt

Handling my fears about the future, performance, or success has always been a priority for me. To address these fears, I focus on being extremely prepared. I seek out the smartest and most knowledgeable individuals, surrounding myself with generous and humble people who are willing to share their ideas. By gaining insights and knowledge from them, I can bring valuable information to my community, athletes, and anyone I am mentoring at the time. Fear is often irrational, as it pertains to uncertain events that may or may not happen. Therefore, my approach is to counter it by being well-prepared.

Unlocking Personal Growth: Embrace a Transformative Journey

My single best advice in life is to be actively engaged in a process to make yourself better. You pick what you want to be better at? But for me, it's my underlying health and wellness. So a process incorporating all the good stuff to make sure that I stay healthy.

Be actively engaged in a process to make yourself better, such as focusing on your health and wellness.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/zaeqplkqvkgduvjiacvo.vtt

My single best advice in life is to actively engage in a process of self-improvement. Choose what area you want to focus on and work towards becoming better in that aspect. For me, it's prioritizing my underlying health and wellness. I believe in incorporating all the necessary elements to ensure that I stay healthy.

What do you think all champions have in common? What do you think it takes to be a champion?

Unleashing the Champion Within: The Key to Success

Hey, Eduardo, Champions, surround themselves with like-minded people. People that believe in them, people that believe in the process of training and hard work and consistency, most important Champions realize that within themselves. They have the ability to do amazing things. The definition of winning comes into into play a little bit for me, a champion can also be somebody that never wins a medal, but you can get the most out of yourself. Every single day, recognize your limitations, but also recognize when you need to exceed those limitations and do better and believe in that process. Hope that helps.

Champions are people that surround themselves with those who believe in them, and push themselves to do better each day. They don't necessarily need to win medals or trophies to be a champion, but by pushing themselves and believing in the process, they can become great.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/fwcp4tsye7k8fzil1dfb.vtt

Champions have a common trait of surrounding themselves with like-minded individuals who believe in them, the process of training, hard work, and consistency. However, the most crucial aspect is that champions recognize their own potential to achieve incredible things. Winning, for me, is not solely defined by medals. A champion can be someone who consistently pushes themselves to get the most out of each day, acknowledging their limitations but also striving to surpass them. Belief in this process is key. I hope this answer helps.

What is the most fascinating topic in your field right now?

Unveiling the Optimal Strength Threshold for Endurance Athletes

I think the most fascinating Topic in my field right now trying to make endurance athletes stronger, is how strong is strong enough? I think that from a strength coaches perspective, we want our athletes to be resilient robust and be able to accomplish all of the training objectives of their coaches to produce the outcomes that they Envision for themselves. So, there is a point where as an athlete actually is strong enough. So I think we need to just keep talking talking about that to make sure that we don't get a bad rap that were over training athletes or giving them too much and not enough time to recover in my thought process. I would say most people who are trying to most endurance athletes anyway, that are trying to bring strength and conditioning into their program. Their Swim Bike Run program that run program. They're probably doing a little bit too much.

The most fascinating topic in the field of trying to make endurance athletes stronger is how strong is strong enough? Strength coaches need to ensure that athletes are resilient and robust, yet not overtraining them or giving them too much with not enough time to recover.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/fgnm1dfgj9zcfzihi6d0.vtt

In my field of strength coaching for endurance athletes, the most fascinating topic right now is determining how strong is strong enough. As coaches, we aim for our athletes to be resilient, robust, and capable of achieving their training objectives to reach their desired outcomes. However, there comes a point where an athlete is already strong enough.

It's important to have ongoing discussions about this topic to ensure that we don't receive criticism for overtraining athletes or pushing them beyond their limits without allowing sufficient recovery time. In my opinion, many endurance athletes who incorporate strength and conditioning into their Swim Bike Run programs may be doing too much.

Understanding the threshold of strength required for optimal performance is a captivating area of exploration in my field. By finding the right balance, we can help athletes maximize their potential without compromising their overall well-being.

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

Physician disclaimer

Erin Carson answers your Strength questions. See all the advice Erin Carson has and get answers to your own Strength questions.

Follow me on AnyQuestion

Channel Managers

Erin is a Colorado-based strength coach. She is the co-owner of RallySport, a Boulder training facility and health club, and head coach for ECFIT. Her clients include world champions and everyday athletes seeking excellence. Previously, Erin attended the University of Colorado on a basketball scholarship and played professionally in Europe. She has multiple masters degrees, is certified by NSCA, NASM, EXOS, PTA Global and is a Foundation Training and Titleist Performance Coach. Erin is also an accomplished triathlete placing 6th in her age group at the 2016 70.3 World Championships and has multiple podium finishes.